The Word

Hamstrings That Hang

We have all heard the saying that shows are won from the back. We train to develop a wide and thick back that can eclipse the sun, but many forget the backside also includes hams and glutes. I’ve seen some competitors lack glute separation simply due to not developing their glutes. This is a challenging area for many to train since the mind muscle connection isn’t usually as strong there and it is not a muscle you can look at and flex. Sedentary desk jobs also leave many of us with tight hip flexors and hamstrings, and unable to activate these muscles. Additionally, hams are sometimes just thrown on at the end of a quad workout and trained half assed while energy levels are dwindling.

Shoulder Width Push Session

Do you want those boulder-sized delts that force you to walk sideways through doors? Well, I can’t promise you that, but I can give you a solid workout that will start the process to bringing them up. Delts are the widest point of the body and, if built, they give a 3D look that will highlight the upper body from the front, side, and back. It’s rare to find someone in bodybuilding with delts that are too big because we usually believe that wider is always better. At my last show, I realized that I needed to get my shoulders as wide as possible in order to be a knock out competitor on stage. This will also give you the illusion of a smaller waist.

"5 Ways To Have a Champion Mindset" by John Jewett

Do you have a vision for your life? A dream? Most people probably have some idea of what their dream life might be, but they aren’t even close to acting on it. They are going to work day in and day out building someone else’s dream. Your boss is going on his Cancun vacation all built around your hard work, living the life he wants, based on your labor. How can anyone idly stand by while life passes them by like that? I can’t.

Vids

Boss of Bosses 5: The Feature

Boss of Bosses V, the fifth annual powerlifting meet held by Dan and Sparkle Green, took place this past August. One of the premier competitions in the raw powerlifting game, athletes from all over the world fly in to display their very best. Quite a number of Universal/Animal athletes and employees also got in the mix and took home high honors.

On The Stage with Derek Lunsford: The Olympia Part 4

We've seen the build-up and the preparation leading up to the 2018 Mr. Olympia. We've seen Derek Lunsford relocate to work under the tutelage of IFBB Pro and world-renowned trainer, Ben Pakulski. It's finally time to see what all the hard work and dedication amounted to as he steps foot on the Olympia stage. With all the lights and cameras flashing in his eyes, where does the young phenom land on the greatest stage on Earth?

Big on the Basics: Grip Strength with Grant HIGAMONSTER

Weightlifting, especially powerlifting and strongman, requires immense strength. It also requires a great grip to hold on to the bar. Check out Higa Monster's latest video where he works on grip strength and different ways to bring it up.

Supersets for a Massive Back with Evan

You can train the back with a variety of angles and stimuli due to its large size. Some of the bigger compound movements are more taxing for both the body and the clock, so athletes occasionally steer clear of them. Evan Centopani has come up with a superset back workout for those who have back issues and are pressed for time—here’s how.

Our Roots Since 1983

A Family Company

A family owned company, born in the 70s on the rough-and-tumble streets of industrial New Jersey, Animal is a product of its environment. Producing no-nonsense supplements and gear for the hardest-training lifters in the world now in our fourth decade, Animal has sought to nourish, educate and inspire dedicated bodybuilders who demand the best. Backing up our tough talk by walking the walk every day, the Animal commitment to authenticity informs everything we do, because like the place from which we hail, is real.